The new Iraqi government began work amid fresh fighting in which at least 17 people were killed and an uphill struggle to win domestic and international legitimacy. At the interim government’s first meeting Wednesday, new prime minister Iyad Allawi flagged security as the “number-one priority.” Restoring order will be the main challenge of the new cabinet, which assumes power from the US-led coalition on June 30 with the task of paving the way to free elections in January. Allawi, a former dissident with close ties with the US Central Intelligence Agency during his years in exile, was chosen partly for his security credentials. Full Story